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Darren Sharper arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of rape

USA Today, news source 5:06 p.m. EST January 18, 2014

Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Louisiana Superdome on December 27, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)(Photo: WTLV)

The 38-year-old Sharper was booked into the L.A. County jail and released late Friday on $200,000 bail. A court date was set for Feb. 14.

LAPD said it is investigating Sharper in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred in October and earlier this month in the West Los Angeles area.

The New Orleans Police Department said Saturday it also is investigating an alleged sexual complaint filed Sept. 24, 2013, against Sharper.

Remi Braden, a spokesperson for the NOPD said, "as with every case alleging sexual assault, information gathered is extremely sensitive and the top priority of the detectives is to protect the person who filed the complaint. Because this is an on-going criminal investigation, we cannot provide additional information at this time."

The Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office also confirmed that it has received the official report from the New Orleans Police Department and is still investigating.

"New Orleans police received a complaint from an alleged victim," said DA spokesman Chris Bowman. "The police referred the case to our office for consultation. The matter is currently under investigation and we will make no further comment on any matter under investigation."

Sharper, who played 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, was suspended without pay by the NFL Network, where he works as an analyst.

"Darren has been suspended without pay until further notice, effective immediately," said Alex Riethmiller, an NFL Network spokesman.

Sharper and his representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Prior to working for the NFL Network, Sharper served as a football analyst for WWL-TV for one month in August 2012.

Acquired by the Saints prior to the 2009 season, Sharper helped fuel an opportunistic defense that helped the team reach and win the Super Bowl. Sharper had nine interceptions in that season, three of which he returned for touchdowns as the team got off to a 13-0 start, finished 13-3 and received the top playoff seed.

In 2010 Sharper only played in 8 of 16 games and did not have any interceptions. That was his last year in the league.

Sharper was named to five Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro. He was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2000s.